Ce travail de recherche vise à montrer l’intérêt de l’essaimage comme outil autour duquel peut s’articuler une panoplie de stratégies organisationnelles. Des coalitions stratégiques s’établissent et des liens de proximité se construisent entre les différentes entités constituant l’essaimage. La nature et l’intensité de ces liens dépendent de la nature de la stratégie d’essaimage adoptée ainsi que des logiques endogènes qui lui sont associées. Ainsi, en vue de contribuer à une meilleure compréhension de cette pratique, le présent travail de recherche propose, en s’appuyant sur un cadre théorique et typologique, une grille de lecture opérationnelle mettant en évidence les multiples dimensions de l’essaimage. Pour ce faire, une démarche abductive fondée sur l’étude de cas multiples a été mobilisée. La stratégie de recensement et d’analyse des cas a été effectuée en trois étapes. D’abord, il s’agit d’une exploration préliminaire qui a pour intérêt, de faire ressortir les cas d’analyse à partir d’entretiens réalisés avec 22 responsables, a priori concernés par la pratique d’essaimage en Tunisie. Pour approfondir notre compréhension de la pratique, des analyses thématiques des entrevues ont été menées en profondeur auprès des responsables de cellules d’essaimage. Enfin, en vu de repérer les articulations logiques entre ces dimensions de l’essaimage qui viennent d’être cernées, l’exploration qualitative s’est aussi consolidée par l’étude de 7 cartes cognitives de responsables ayant vécu des expériences variées d’essaimage. Les résultats empiriques obtenus ont permis de relever l’existence de diverses trajectoires de mise en œuvre de l’essaimage, dont le sens, la direction et la logique diffèrent d’une entreprise à une autre. En outre, la lecture des représentations mentales des dirigeants des cellules d’essaimage nous ont permis de confirmer l’importance des facteurs externes reliés à l’environnement et des facteurs internes reliés à l’optimisation des ressources dans la modélisation du processus. Cette analyse cognitive a laissé aussi apparaitre quelques pistes de réflexion relative à la prédominance des objectifs stratégiques de gestion de l’innovation et de valorisation des résultats de la recherche scientifique dans certaines entreprises essaimantes. / This research aims to show the importance of spin-off as a tool around which various organizational strategies can be articuled. In this respect, a number of strategic coalitions and close links are etablished among the different entities constituting spin-off. So, the nature and intensity of these relationships depend on the nature of the adopted spin-off strategy as well as the endogenous rationale associated with it. Thus, in order to shape a better understanding of the procedure, this research suggests, based on a theorical and typological framework, a practical outline which highlights the multiple dimensions of spin-off. Consequently, an abductive research strategy based on multiple case studies has been implemented.

When animals explore a new environment, they do not acquire a precise map of the places visited. In fact, research has shown that learning is a recurring process. Over time, new information helps the animal to update their perception of the locations it has visited. Yet, they are still able to use the fuzzy and often incomplete representation to find their way home. This process has been termed the cognitive mapping process. The work presented in this thesis uses a mobile robot equipped with sonar sensors to investigate the nature of such a process. Specifically, what is the information that is fundamental and prevalent in spatial navigation? Initially, the robot is instructed to compute a “cognitive map” of its environment. Since a robot is not a cognitive agent, it cannot, by definition, compute a cognitive map. Hence the robot is used as a test bed for understanding the cognitive mapping process. Yeap’s (1988) theory of cognitive mapping forms the foundation for computing the robot’s representation of the places it has visited. He argued that a network of local spaces is computed early in the cognitive mapping process. Yeap coined these local spaces as Absolute Space Representations (ASRs). However, ASR is not just a process of partitioning the environment into smaller local regions. The ASRs describe the bounded space that one is in, how one could leave that space (exits) and how the exits serves to link the ASRs to form a network that serves as the cognitive map (see Jefferies (1999)). Like the animal’s cognitive map, ASRs are not precise geometrical maps of the environment but rather, provide a rough shape or feel of the space the robot is currently in. Once the robot computes its “cognitive map”, it is then, like foraging and hoarding animals, instructed to find its way home. To do so, the robot uses two crucial pieces of information: distance between exits of ASRs and relative orientation of adjacent ASRs. A simple animal-like strategy was implemented for the robot to locate home. Results from the experiments demonstrated the robot’s ability to determine its location within the visited environment along its journey. This task was performed without the use of an accurate map. From these results and reviews of various findings related to cognitive mapping for various animals, we deduce that: Different animals have different sensing capabilities. They live in different environments and therefore face unique challenges. Consequently, they evolve to have different navigational strategies. However, we believe two crucial pieces of information are inherent in all animals and form the fundamentals of navigation: distance and orientation. Higher level animals may encode and may even prefer richer information to enhance the animal’s cognitive map. Nonetheless, distance and orientation will always be computed as a core process of cognitive mapping. We believe this insight will help future research to better understand the complex nature of cognitive mapping.

Since the early 20th Century, epidemiological research has brought benefits and burdens to Aboriginal communities in Canada. Many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit continue to view Western research with distrust; quantitative study methods are perceived as especially inconsistent with indigenous ways of knowing. There is increasing recognition, however, that rigorous epidemiological research can produce evidence that draws attention, and potentially resources, to pressing health issues in Aboriginal communities. The thesis begins by introducing a framework for culturally safe epidemiology, from the identification of research priorities, through fieldwork and analysis, to communication and use of evidence. Drawing on a sexual health research initiative with Inuit in Ottawa as a case study, the thesis examines cognitive mapping as a promising culturally safe method to reviewing indigenous knowledge. Juxtaposing this approach with a systematic review of the literature, the standard protocol to reviewing Western scientific knowledge, the thesis demonstrates the potential for cognitive mapping to identify culturally safe spaces in epidemiological research where neither scientific validity nor cultural integrity is compromised. Modern epidemiology and indigenous knowledge are not inherently discordant; many public health opportunities arise at this interface and good science must begin here too.

Since the early 20th Century, epidemiological research has brought benefits and burdens to Aboriginal communities in Canada. Many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit continue to view Western research with distrust; quantitative study methods are perceived as especially inconsistent with indigenous ways of knowing. There is increasing recognition, however, that rigorous epidemiological research can produce evidence that draws attention, and potentially resources, to pressing health issues in Aboriginal communities. The thesis begins by introducing a framework for culturally safe epidemiology, from the identification of research priorities, through fieldwork and analysis, to communication and use of evidence. Drawing on a sexual health research initiative with Inuit in Ottawa as a case study, the thesis examines cognitive mapping as a promising culturally safe method to reviewing indigenous knowledge. Juxtaposing this approach with a systematic review of the literature, the standard protocol to reviewing Western scientific knowledge, the thesis demonstrates the potential for cognitive mapping to identify culturally safe spaces in epidemiological research where neither scientific validity nor cultural integrity is compromised. Modern epidemiology and indigenous knowledge are not inherently discordant; many public health opportunities arise at this interface and good science must begin here too.

This paper investigates the behavior of bicycle commuters using qualitative behavior research techniques. Bicycle commuters are observed in context of their commute rides and video taped for analysis. Interviews and cognitive mapping processes are used to draw out commuters' perceptions to external activity and their behavior modifications in response. The behavior and perception data are used to illustrate mental models of bicycle commuters: how they differ among riders and how an individual rider's mental model evolves along their commute. A clear understanding of bicycle commuters' mental models and behaviors associated with them can be used to create a framework for development of a tool for self-assessment of commuting experiences.

Since the early 20th Century, epidemiological research has brought benefits and burdens to Aboriginal communities in Canada. Many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit continue to view Western research with distrust; quantitative study methods are perceived as especially inconsistent with indigenous ways of knowing. There is increasing recognition, however, that rigorous epidemiological research can produce evidence that draws attention, and potentially resources, to pressing health issues in Aboriginal communities. The thesis begins by introducing a framework for culturally safe epidemiology, from the identification of research priorities, through fieldwork and analysis, to communication and use of evidence. Drawing on a sexual health research initiative with Inuit in Ottawa as a case study, the thesis examines cognitive mapping as a promising culturally safe method to reviewing indigenous knowledge. Juxtaposing this approach with a systematic review of the literature, the standard protocol to reviewing Western scientific knowledge, the thesis demonstrates the potential for cognitive mapping to identify culturally safe spaces in epidemiological research where neither scientific validity nor cultural integrity is compromised. Modern epidemiology and indigenous knowledge are not inherently discordant; many public health opportunities arise at this interface and good science must begin here too.

When animals explore a new environment, they do not acquire a precise map of the places visited. In fact, research has shown that learning is a recurring process. Over time, new information helps the animal to update their perception of the locations it has visited. Yet, they are still able to use the fuzzy and often incomplete representation to find their way home. This process has been termed the cognitive mapping process. The work presented in this thesis uses a mobile robot equipped with sonar sensors to investigate the nature of such a process. Specifically, what is the information that is fundamental and prevalent in spatial navigation? Initially, the robot is instructed to compute a “cognitive map” of its environment. Since a robot is not a cognitive agent, it cannot, by definition, compute a cognitive map. Hence the robot is used as a test bed for understanding the cognitive mapping process. Yeap’s (1988) theory of cognitive mapping forms the foundation for computing the robot’s representation of the places it has visited. He argued that a network of local spaces is computed early in the cognitive mapping process. Yeap coined these local spaces as Absolute Space Representations (ASRs). However, ASR is not just a process of partitioning the environment into smaller local regions. The ASRs describe the bounded space that one is in, how one could leave that space (exits) and how the exits serves to link the ASRs to form a network that serves as the cognitive map (see Jefferies (1999)). Like the animal’s cognitive map, ASRs are not precise geometrical maps of the environment but rather, provide a rough shape or feel of the space the robot is currently in. Once the robot computes its “cognitive map”, it is then, like foraging and hoarding animals, instructed to find its way home. To do so, the robot uses two crucial pieces of information: distance between exits of ASRs and relative orientation of adjacent ASRs. A simple animal-like strategy was implemented for the robot to locate home. Results from the experiments demonstrated the robot’s ability to determine its location within the visited environment along its journey. This task was performed without the use of an accurate map. From these results and reviews of various findings related to cognitive mapping for various animals, we deduce that: Different animals have different sensing capabilities. They live in different environments and therefore face unique challenges. Consequently, they evolve to have different navigational strategies. However, we believe two crucial pieces of information are inherent in all animals and form the fundamentals of navigation: distance and orientation. Higher level animals may encode and may even prefer richer information to enhance the animal’s cognitive map. Nonetheless, distance and orientation will always be computed as a core process of cognitive mapping. We believe this insight will help future research to better understand the complex nature of cognitive mapping.

This study aims to investigate the naturalistic decision-making role of business intelligence (BI) in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. O&G organisations spend a lot of time, effort and resources in maximising their operations to gain a competitive advantage. With the introduction of technological solutions, BI provides organisations with the ability to collect, sort, analyse and transform data into timely intelligence. However, the industry is characteristically competitive, difficult to predict and continuously changing with decision-makers sometimes faced with naturalistic decisions necessitating quick decisions under pressure, strict timeframes and with incomplete data. Literature on the role BI in the O&G industry has been minimal, with the focus being on how BI is used to assist rational decision-making. This study relies on data collected from two O&G organisations operating in different streams of the industry. Using a dynamic model of situated cognition, this study employs an interpretive, qualitative approach to data analysis in an attempt to fill the gap in the literature and determine whether BI plays any role in facilitating the decision-making process in response to naturalistic decisions. A dynamic model of situated cognition has been employed because of its strong correlation with naturalistic decision-making (NDM). The findings of this study indicate that different naturalistic decisions exist in the two streams of the industry and these decisions vary in their levels of complexity and domains. Furthermore, the findings show that while BI plays a major role NDM, this role is mitigated by the cognitive capabilities of individual decision-makers and their areas of expertise.

Ce travail de recherche vise à montrer l’intérêt de l’essaimage comme outil autour duquel peut s’articuler une panoplie de stratégies organisationnelles. Des coalitions stratégiques s’établissent et des liens de proximité se construisent entre les différentes entités constituant l’essaimage. La nature et l’intensité de ces liens dépendent de la nature de la stratégie d’essaimage adoptée ainsi que des logiques endogènes qui lui sont associées. Ainsi, en vue de contribuer à une meilleure compréhension de cette pratique, le présent travail de recherche propose, en s’appuyant sur un cadre théorique et typologique, une grille de lecture opérationnelle mettant en évidence les multiples dimensions de l’essaimage. Pour ce faire, une démarche abductive fondée sur l’étude de cas multiples a été mobilisée. La stratégie de recensement et d’analyse des cas a été effectuée en trois étapes. D’abord, il s’agit d’une exploration préliminaire qui a pour intérêt, de faire ressortir les cas d’analyse à partir d’entretiens réalisés avec 22 responsables, a priori concernés par la pratique d’essaimage en Tunisie. Pour approfondir notre compréhension de la pratique, des analyses thématiques des entrevues ont été menées en profondeur auprès des responsables de cellules d’essaimage. Enfin, en vu de repérer les articulations logiques entre ces dimensions de l’essaimage qui viennent d’être cernées, l’exploration qualitative s’est aussi consolidée par l’étude de 7 cartes cognitives de responsables ayant vécu des expériences variées d’essaimage. Les résultats empiriques obtenus ont permis de relever l’existence de diverses trajectoires de mise en œuvre de l’essaimage, dont le sens, la direction et la logique diffèrent d’une entreprise à une autre. En outre, la lecture des représentations mentales des dirigeants des cellules d’essaimage nous ont permis de confirmer l’importance des facteurs externes reliés à l’environnement et des facteurs internes reliés à l’optimisation des ressources dans la modélisation du processus. Cette analyse cognitive a laissé aussi apparaitre quelques pistes de réflexion relative à la prédominance des objectifs stratégiques de gestion de l’innovation et de valorisation des résultats de la recherche scientifique dans certaines entreprises essaimantes. / This research aims to show the importance of spin-off as a tool around which various organizational strategies can be articuled. In this respect, a number of strategic coalitions and close links are etablished among the different entities constituting spin-off. So, the nature and intensity of these relationships depend on the nature of the adopted spin-off strategy as well as the endogenous rationale associated with it. Thus, in order to shape a better understanding of the procedure, this research suggests, based on a theorical and typological framework, a practical outline which highlights the multiple dimensions of spin-off. Consequently, an abductive research strategy based on multiple case studies has been implemented.

Since the early 20th Century, epidemiological research has brought benefits and burdens to Aboriginal communities in Canada. Many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit continue to view Western research with distrust; quantitative study methods are perceived as especially inconsistent with indigenous ways of knowing. There is increasing recognition, however, that rigorous epidemiological research can produce evidence that draws attention, and potentially resources, to pressing health issues in Aboriginal communities. The thesis begins by introducing a framework for culturally safe epidemiology, from the identification of research priorities, through fieldwork and analysis, to communication and use of evidence. Drawing on a sexual health research initiative with Inuit in Ottawa as a case study, the thesis examines cognitive mapping as a promising culturally safe method to reviewing indigenous knowledge. Juxtaposing this approach with a systematic review of the literature, the standard protocol to reviewing Western scientific knowledge, the thesis demonstrates the potential for cognitive mapping to identify culturally safe spaces in epidemiological research where neither scientific validity nor cultural integrity is compromised. Modern epidemiology and indigenous knowledge are not inherently discordant; many public health opportunities arise at this interface and good science must begin here too.